Lac La Biche County councillors went into a private session at the start of their December 22 Special Council Meeting to discuss several matters, including the results of their "2023 Public Engagement" review.
The irony of the topic and council's decision wasn't lost on at least one councillor before the doors were closed.
"If it's pubic engagement, shouldn't he public be able to hear the results of the engagement? Shouldn't there be an open component to this also?" asked councillor Sterling Johnson, suggesting the public may be interested in finding out about the results. "They should also be informed of what happened with the engagement results also."
Lac La Biche County Mayor Paul Reutov agreed — partially — saying a portion of the public engagement discussions would be held in open session of council after the private discussion had taken place.
"I agree ... We'll do it in two parts. We'll do a closed session and then (discussion) on public engagement that arises in business arising from our closed session in public."
Investigative Report
Other items being discussed in closed session included an agenda item listed as "Rural Transit Solutions Fund" and an add-on item by councillor Darlene Beniuk that she said was titled "Investigative report."
When municipal administrators were contacted by Lakeland This Week for any details on what Beniuk's matter related to, and why it was approved for the closed session, it was said to be something covered under Section 17: of the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, relating to personal information of a third party. The transit fund discussion in closed session was contained under Sections 24 and 25 of the same act, this time relating to 'advice from officials' and 'disclosure harmful to economic and other interests of public body.'
Council began their Special Council meeting shortly after 10 am. Other items on the agenda include proposed locations for a temporary homeless camp — including one to the south of Lac La Biche's A&W restaurant, and the final decisions on the proposed 2023 budget. The meeting was scheduled to run from 10 am to 3 pm. Councillors were still in closed session at 11 am.
